Dangote Cement exports jump 71% as Q1 revenue hits ₦1.2tn
By Patience Ikpeme
Dangote Cement Plc has announced a robust start to the 2026 fiscal year, reporting a significant 71.6 per cent surge in cement and clinker exports from its Nigerian plants during the first quarter.
This growth comes as the company’s total installed production capacity across Africa reached 55 million tonnes per annum.
The company’s unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2026 show that total sales volumes rose by 13.8 per cent. This upward trend was supported by an 11.5 per cent increase in domestic sales within Nigeria and a 19.5 per cent growth across its pan-African operations.
During this three-month window, the firm completed 10 clinker shipments from Nigeria to various neighboring markets, solidifying its status as the continent’s primary exporter.
The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak, pointed out that the financial outcomes prove the effectiveness of the company’s current strategy.
“We have delivered an outstanding start to 2026, with revenue up 20.4 per cent year‑on‑year to ₦1.198 trillion, driven by a strong rebound in volumes which grew 13.8 per cent across our markets. EBITDA increased by 22.8 per cent to ₦567.1 billion, demonstrating the strength of our operating model, disciplined cost control, and our ability to convert growth into superior profitability,” he said.
The report also showed a profit before tax of ₦421.1 billion for the quarter, marking a 35 per cent rise from the ₦311.9 billion recorded in the same period of 2025. Consequently, earnings per share jumped to ₦19.14, up from ₦12.29 in the previous year.
Regarding the company’s geographical reach, Mr. Pathak noted that the recent launch of a 3Mta grinding plant in Côte d’Ivoire is being followed by active work on expansion projects in Itori, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. These developments are part of a broader roadmap to achieve a production capacity of 80 million tonnes by the year 2030.
“Our export business continues to scale rapidly, with volumes from Nigeria up 71.6 per cent and 10 clinker shipments completed in the quarter. This performance reinforces our strategic position as Africa’s leading cement exporter,” Pathak said.
The Chief Executive expressed optimism regarding the remainder of the year, stating that market demand has shown resilience. He mentioned that the company’s expansion pipeline is successfully delivering results while operational discipline continues to improve profit margins.
“We have entered the year with strong momentum and a clear strategic focus. We remain confident in sustaining this growth trajectory and in consistently delivering long‑term value to our shareholders,” he added.
Dangote Cement currently operates a massive production network, including the 16.25Mta Obajana plant in Kogi State—the largest in Africa—alongside major facilities in Ogun, Benue, and Edo states.
These local investments have shifted Nigeria from being a cement importer to a net exporter, providing essential building materials to West and Central African nations.
